Kyle Larson’s attempt to test for the Indianapolis 500 ahead of May’s big crashed into the side wall — literally — while test-driving during Thursday’s IndyCar test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Despite hitting the wall twice, Larson escaped uninjured.
The incident unfolded as he entered his qualifying laps, with increased turbo boost testing and preparing for race day conditions.
Larson reported struggling with understeer (tight handling), the steering wheel isn’t easy to turn and control while the vehicle is going out of control, through Turn 1, a problem he noticed during the previous day’s session as well.
Unfortunately, the issue worsened at higher speeds, leading to a loss of control and limited margin to recover.
NASCAR Emblems
For someone aiming to make history by competing in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day — an accomplishment last seen in 2014 — dialing in a better car balance will be crucial and inevitably necessary to register that win.
Meanwhile, in NASCAR, Larson remains a strong contender, with two wins in the last four races, and he remains a hot topic in the NASCAR Cup Series starting lineup conversations.
To improve, Larson should focus on the following:
Enhanced Feedback Loops: Communicate understeer sensations earlier and more frequently with engineers.
Simulator Sessions: Spend additional time on IndyCar simulators to replicate and fix tight cornering issues.
Corner Entry Adjustments: Alter entry angles into Turn 1 to manage tire load and grip more effectively.
Boost Level Training: Get more familiar with higher boost levels used during qualifying runs.
Weight-Jacker and Roll Bar Use: Practice fine-tuning in-car adjustments to adapt during laps.
Mental Reset Techniques: Implement visualization and breathing exercises before runs to maintain focus.
Engineer Collaboration: Work even closer with setup crews to tailor handling to his style.
Crossover Training: Balance schedules between Indy and NASCAR to stay sharp across vehicle types.
Heading into Sunday’s race at Talladega, Larson’s spot in the NASCAR starting lineup for Sunday race remains highly anticipated. Fans proudly display NASCAR emblems in support as Larson continues his ambitious double duty.
Leave a Reply